Re-cap: Elissa Altman

Elissa Altman, founder and author of PoorMansFeast.com and 2012 James Beard Award winner for Best Individual Blog, recently stopped by Sixth and I to discuss her latest book. 

Rooftop Revenge at the W Hotel

By Claire Goldman

Lauren Weisberger, author of the bestselling Devil Wears Prada novel and film of the same name, stopped into our nation's capital for a book signing event at the W Hotel's P.O.V. lounge.  The #RooftopRevenge event was buzzing with fashionistas hopping from the makeup and hair stations to the bar.  Guests were bopping to the sounds from the DJ booth while in line to get a chance to have hard copies of the sequel Revenge Wears Prada inscribed by Wiesberger herself.

Upcoming Events Around DC

The lovely ladies from your favorite local news stations are hosting Newsbabes Bash for Breast Cancer on Thursday, June 27th from 7-9 PM at The Hamilton. Proceeds will benefit the Howard University Cancer Center. Event will include silent auction, pink cocktail bar, hors d'Oeuvres, Newsmen in Pink and more. Tickets are $75 and can be purchased at dcnewsbabes.org.

Happy Birthday Claire!

Can't wait to celebrate!!

Opening: Teddy and The Bully Bar

Photo by Emily Clack

By:  Mike Pfeifer

Teddy and The Bully Bar, Alan Popovsky’s second presidential-themed restaurant in the nation’s capital, showed off its goods to the media last Wednesday and allowed us food critics and bloggers to enter the arena, although we left happy and content rather than marred by dust and sweat and blood (to borrow a quote from the restaurant’s namesake). 

Opening: Shake Shack Penn Quarter

Though I have previously walked from Metro Center to the Dupont location during my lunch break, I can't complain about being that much closer to burgers, fries and shakes now that Shack Shake has opened in Penn Quarter alongside the Spy Museum.

Craving Crabs?

Not those ones... I'm talking about the crabs you eat;)  Frederik De Pue’s Penn Quarter seafood restaurant,  Azur, is hosting a summer-long series of Wednesday Crab Fests. 

Congrats to the 2013 RAMMY Awards Winners!

Last night more than 1,600 guests gathered at the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington's (RAMW) RAMMY Awards Gala to celebrate!  It is always my favorite night for dancing and fun with all of my restaurant buddies.  Keep up the great work!

Happy Birthday Corey!

I love you!

Margarita at Salsitas Cocina y Cantina in San Jose del Cabo, Mexico

Photo by Emily Clack

Thinking of Drinking: Lavanda

So many wonderful spots are popping up in my neighborhood. El Centro has probably the best tequila selection in town. If you're not in the mood to sip it straight up, you'll love the Lavanda cocktail. I'm thinking of drinking right about now. How about you?

Thinking of Drinking: Cancer Zodiac Zinger

For each astrological sign, Quill at The Jefferson, DC, offers a different 'Zodiac Zinger' that is representative of that particular sign and best yet, the drink is on the house on your birthday! 

Opening: MXDC

Hongos Taco

A Modern Take on Mexican in the Heart of Downtown, DC

I have a tendency of meaningfully shaking my head in a way that can, wrongfully, be interpreted as a sentiment of “dismay” when I taste food that rudely awakens my senses with utter satisfaction. 

Upcoming Events: Safeway BBQ Battle and More!

Join us for the 21st Annual Safeway BBQ Battle, June 22 and 23 in Washington, DC.  Pennsylvania Avenue will be Smokin' with 30 bands on 3 stages like The Wailers and Roy Ayers on the Pepsi Next - Lay's Sound stage and EU and Kristen and the Noise on the Famous Dave's Stage.  Enjoy delicious free food samples in the Safeway Sampling Pavilion, cooking demonstrations by Celebrity Chefs like the "BBQ Pitmasters" TV Show and others, interactive exhibits such as NBA Nation and the Big Bite Tour, Family Friendly Activities, and The National BBQ Championship where the best BBQ Chefs from across the country compete for over $40,000 in cash and prizes. Tickets are $12 for adults, Kids 12 and under are Free.

Get 10% off Washingtonian's Best of Washington Event!

Washingtonian's AT&T Best Of Washington party is the hottest ticket of the summer season.

Opening: KABIN

Discotheque meets après-ski chalet at KABIN, due to open in Dupont Circle on Saturday, June 29. Nestled above bustling Connecticut Avenue, KABIN dares Washingtonians to step out of the everyday and into the alps. Owners Kunal Shah, Vinoda Basnayake, Dustin Huynh and Rajeev Subramanian will spearhead the new venue just south of the circle. Shah and Basnayake are also the former owners of Eden nightclub and current partners at the Karma by Erwin Gomez salon.

What You Crave

By:  Jennifer Duff

Capital Cooking Contributor

The party must go on... and so it did despite the looming thunder clouds and potential tornado watches in the DC area.  The 3rd annual CRAVE Kimpton event, showcasing Kimpton hotels and restaurants in Washington, DC, Virginia and Maryland, brought out the sun and fun with it's Caribbean-themed gala, despite the threats of bad weather. 

Chuanfanshr Rock in Kenting, Taiwan

Some say the rock is the shape of Richard Nixon's head.  Photo by Kristen Finn.

Perfect Pair: Francis Ford Coppola Winery

I recently had the pleasure of enjoying an entire dinner paired with the wines of Francis Ford Coppola.  Not only are the wines delicious, but they our relatively inexpensive for the quality.  

Angkor Wat in Cambodia

Hyattsville Just Got a Little More Spicy

Walking into Spice 6 (http://www.spice-6.com/), I was welcomed by friendly staff and fashion forward decor. Of course, I had a million questions but, luckily, that worked in my favor because I was offered that many more delectable items off of their menu. (I'll keep that in mind...)

20th Annual Taste of Georgetown Highlights

By Claire Goldman

The Annual Taste of Georgetown event is a delicious excuse to get outside each summer.  On June 2nd,  26 of the neighborhood's top restaurants hit the tents along Wisconsin Avenue.  Georgetown staples, J. Paul's served up Oysters on the Half Shell and neighborhood newbies El Centro offered Beef Barbacoa Tacos with Brisket, Pico de Gallo and Crema Fresca.

Summer Sippin': P.O.V. Lounge

By: Kathy Guzman 

Ready for cocktail sippin' on one of DC's best rooftops this summer? The W Hotel's P.O.V. has you covered, so make it a must for this summer! Their summer soiree hand-crafted cocktails are made from the freshest ingredients, mixed to make the perfect after-work drinks or make your sunny, Saturday afternoons even better!

Thinking of Drinking: Mexican Mixology

Mexican Mixology: June 5-30, 2013 Menu

Rosa Mexicano, known for their table-side made-to-order guacamole, recently debuted an additional cocktail menu for the month of June.  Featuring refreshing flavors, I'm hoping this new menu will become popular enough that they'll keep the drinks around for the rest of the summer.  The cocktails, developed by mixologist Brook Vandecar, range from savory, fruity to creamy.

Upcoming Events: Taste of Reston and More!

The Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce is proud to present the 23rd Annual Taste of Reston, produced by the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce on June 14-15, 2013. Taste of Reston is the largest outdoor food festival in the area and was voted “2012 Best Food Festival” by Virginia Living magazine. Join us at the Reston Town Center for two days of restaurants and community vendors, live entertainment on three stages, a carnival, the Family Fun Zone! and our Wine ‘n Dine area. Located at the Reston Town Center at the following times: Friday, June 14: 3PM – 11PM; Saturday, June 15: 12PM – 11PM.

Gibbs Hill Lighthouse in Bermuda

Father's Day Gift Guide

Show Dad you love him with some of these great gift ideas:

Beaded Art in San José del Cabo, Mexico

Photo by Emily Clack

A Look Inside Mi Cocina

The Collection at Chevy Chase, primarily known for its selection of luxury retailers including Dior, Gucci and Louis Vuitton, will soon be known for it's Tex-mex cuisine now that Mi Cocina is officially open. We attended the grand opening festivities for the Dallas based restaurant, and were soon invited back for a full dinner.

Father's Day Give-Away: $50 to Legal Sea Foods

Father's Day is approaching. Throughout the summer, Capital Cooking will be giving away all kinds of fun  gift cards. Keep reading to enter. 

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Father's Day Recipe: Oven Smoked Pulled Pork

Father's Day is right around the corner.  There is nothing better than sitting outside with an ice cold beer and doing a little grilling. Don't be discouraged if you don't have a grill...there are still some delicious options to make indoors too.  We had the best time grilling with Heath and Brett from Pork Barrel BBQ on our Thrill of the Grill episode.

First Taste: Beuchert's Saloon

Initial Thoughts:  

• Design and Decor:  Partner and designer August Paro recreated period-correct fixtures and finishes, including the handcrafted bar, turn-of-the-century tiled bathrooms and two 1920s hand-blown chandeliers from Europe. 

Recipe: Steak Tartare

To make a good steak tartare, find the leanest, most tender meat since raw beef fat doesn't really melt in your mouth. In culinary school, we used a lean cut from the top sirloin roast. Beef tenderloin also works well.

The Magical Town of Santorini, Greece

Preview: Capital Cooking in West Sweden-Part 2

After exploring the Western Coast of Sweden, Lauren DeSantis heads south to join A Slice of Swedish Hospitality to cook a feast in a Malmo home.  Lauren is also guided through the historic gardens of Katrinetorp.

Re-cap: Sound Bites DC

Sound Bites DC has quickly become one of my favorite events of the year, meeting my three requirements for a great event: 1) Delicious Food 2) Great Music 3) No Lines (I did see a line for oysters at one point, but 1 line out of 20 booths isn't bad). It's also worth sharing that I went to Sound Bites DC the same day as another tasting event last year, and my friend and I enjoyed Sound Bites 10x more. We were this close to canceling our plans to attend Sound Bites last year since we already had a long day at the other event, but my friend and I were happy that we decided otherwise. We would have missed out on an amazing event! In a similar manner, this year my friend and I had went to another tasting event the day before Sound Bites DC, and during Sound Bites, my friend commented, "This event is so much better. Can they please have this event more often? Like weekly?" If only…

Thinking of Drinking: Padma

I'm a sucker for pineapple in a drink. Try this unique creation from Rasika West End.

Thinking of Drinking: RAMMY Cocktail Contest

The RAMMY Awards Gala is taking place on June 23, and to kick things off, the brand new Golden Brown Delicious hosted a RAMMY cocktail contest tasting party.  This is the 3rd annual RAMMY Cocktail Contest, and until June 14th, the RAMMY nominees for Mixology Program of the Year will be offering their signature RAMMY cocktail at their restaurants.

Opening: Mockingbird Hill

There's a new place to have drinks before heading over to Howard Theatre in Shaw.  Derek Brown's, Mockingbird Hill, wines you with sherry and dines you with ham.  Get a taste of what Hemingway enjoyed in Spain in this cool bar.  I didn't even know I liked sherry until last night.  Inspired by trips to Madrid, Derek brings the Spanish traditions to us lucky Washingtonians who get to reap the benefits of his travels.  Thanks Derek!  

Upcoming Events: Crab and More!

The Eighth Annual DC Crab Cake Competition held by The Source by Wolfgang Puck:  The American Institute of Wine and Food (AIWF) and The Source by Wolfgang Puck (located in the Newseum) are pleased to host the Eighth Annual Crab Cake Competition on June 9, 2013 from 12-3 pm.  The competition is designed to raise awareness for local and sustainable seafood initiatives, as well as funds for culinary internships, scholarships and educational programs.  The contest will pit eight of the area's top chefs against one another in a crab cake battle that will exclusively utilize and showcase Department-verified Maryland blue crab.  The winning chef will receive funds to support a culinary intern in their kitchen. In addition, six students from area culinary schools will compete for a chance to win a $500 scholarship towards their studies.  Tickets are $70 per person inclusive of tax and gratuity, and include tastes of all the crab cakes, local oyster bars, and beer and wine stations.  Further information and tickets are available at aiwfcrabcakes.eventbrite.com.

Let the Roast Begin!

By:  Abby Yigzaw

Arriving early to Art and Soul Restaurant’s (http://www.artandsouldc.com) Pig and Oyster Roast tasting, my evening began at their bar with a generously poured glass of Merlot (only 7 dollars during their happy hour). The interior of Art and Soul was decorated with an aesthetically delectable assortment of taupe and gray with accents of chocolate brown. 

A Toast to the Other Coast

Written By:  Lauren Rittermann
Capital Cooking Contributor

Washington State Wine has returned to the DMV and is celebrating their award winning wines with promotions and events happening at participating restaurants, wine shops, and wine bars.  Toast to the Other Coast kicked off at the Kennedy Center and featured an impressive collection of Washington State wineries.

Best Burgers in DC

Recently we told you where to find the best summer cocktails. This week is burger time!

Opening: Bobby's Burger Palace

Bobby Flay - Photo by Ben Fink

Chef Bobby Flay opened his fifteenth all-American burger joint, Bobby's Burger Palace, on Tuesday, May 21st in Woodbridge, Va.  Fans and early birds began to gather as early as 9:30 a.m. in preparation for the 12:00 p.m. grand opening.  

Sbragia Wines at Aria Fresca

Chefs Xavier Deshayes (The International Trade Center)
and Todd Gray (Equinox) with their fellow grill masters.

Once again the Wine Cooperative has hosted a splendid event.  On Tuesday, May 14th, guests were invited to join Ed Sbragia Wines on the patio of Aria Pizzeria and Bar, known as Aria Fresca, for a pairing of grilled treats, wine, and live music.  Even though it was an overcast afternoon, the guests lined up with ready taste buds and were graciously met by Chefs Xavier Deshayes from the International Trade Center, Todd Gray of Equinox, their supporting chefs, and the wonderful Aria staff.

Re-cap: National Harbor's 6th Annual Wine and Food Festival

National Harbor, Md.

National Harbor recently hosted their 6th Annual Wine and Food Festival.  More than just your average run-of-the-mill foodie festival, this event had it all!